Undergarments having static cling waistbands

ABSTRACT

An undergarment that includes a waistband, lower torso covering portion, leg holes, and ring. The lower torso covering portion includes a first protecting portion, second protecting portion, and third protecting portion. The waistband is affixed to the lower torso covering portion. The leg holes are positioned on the lower torso covering portion opposite the waistband. The ring is circumferentially affixed to an inner surface of the waistband. The ring includes a cling material that produces an electrostatic force that demountably affixes the waistband to an epithelial surface when the undergarment is worn. The cling material includes a silica gel and curing agent (e.g., phenolic resin, acid anhydride, carboxylic acid, and a polyamine) The ring can include a plurality of iconic indicia laterally positioned proximate to each other. The ring is affixed to the lower torso covering portion via threading and/or adhesive.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to undergarments. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to undergarments havingstatic cling waistbands.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Certainly, static cling materials are not a new concept in and ofthemselves. In the decoration and education industries, various itemsthat use cling technology are currently being manufactured. Such itemsmay use cling technology to adhere a small item of static cling materialto a generally larger smooth surface such as a billboard, sign, card, orwindow dressing.

Likewise, a static cling vinyl can be combined with a second plasticsheet to create an inexpensive, temporary sign or banner. Greeting cardscan use cling technology to attach small objects to a card. Both bannersand cards can use a static cling material as well as a nonporous smoothsurface as a base element. However, such materials have not yet beenused for undergarment waistbands.

Adhesives can be used to combine the ends of a thin, flexible, elongatedstrip. Others may employ a nonremovable snap fastener. However, itemsattached using the form of these methods that are currently availableoften cannot be removed without damaging the item itself.

Accordingly, when items must be removed for later use, users may beforced to purchase an entirely new item if it is damaged by the removal,so that use of such methods can be costly. In addition, adhesives maynot be safe when used to attach wearable items (e.g., undergarments) touser's skin.

Thus, there is a need to develop a composition of cling technologymaterials for use in undergarment, allowing easy removal and secureattachment of these garments.

The present invention is intended to solve and/or improve onconventional devices through an innovative composition designed toprovide a convenient means of keeping a waistband in place whilecomfortably clinging to the user's skin.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Some of the embodiments will be described in detail, with reference tothe following figures, wherein like designations denote like members,wherein:

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a waistband, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of an undergarment, according to otherembodiments.

FIG. 3 depicts a front view of an undergarment, according to yet stillother embodiments.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross-section of the waistband and a ring, according tocertain embodiments.

FIG. 5 depicts a plurality of iconic indicia positioned on thewaistband, according to yet still other embodiments.

FIG. 6 depicts a perspective view of an undergarment, according to someembodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts process steps for a method to form undergarments,according to other embodiments.

Unless otherwise specifically noted, articles depicted in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one havingordinary skill in the relevant art that the present disclosure has broadutility and application. As should be understood, any embodiment mayincorporate only one or a plurality of the above-disclosed aspects ofthe disclosure and may further incorporate only one or a plurality ofthe above-disclosed features. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed andidentified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best modecontemplated for carrying out the embodiments of the present disclosure.Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrativepurposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure. Moreover, manyembodiments, such as adaptations, variations, modifications, andequivalent arrangements, will be implicitly disclosed by the embodimentsdescribed herein and fall within the scope of the present disclosure.

Accordingly, while embodiments are described herein in detail inrelation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that thisdisclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure andare made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enablingdisclosure. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments isnot intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patentprotection afforded in any claim of a patent issuing here from, whichscope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It isnot intended that the scope of patent protection be defined by readinginto any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appearin the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps ofvarious processes or methods that are described herein are illustrativeand not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, althoughsteps of various processes or methods may be shown and described asbeing in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processesor methods are not limited to being carried out in any particularsequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps insuch processes or methods generally may be carried out in variousdifferent sequences and orders while still falling within the scope ofthe present disclosure. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope ofpatent protection is to be defined by the issued claim(s) rather thanthe description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refersto that which an ordinary artisan would understand such term to meanbased on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that themeaning of a term used herein—as understood by the ordinary artisanbased on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from anyparticular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that themeaning of the term as understood by the ordinary artisan shouldprevail.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an”each generally denotes “at least one,” but does not exclude a pluralityunless the contextual use dictates otherwise. When used herein to join alist of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items,” but does notexclude a plurality of items of the list. Finally, when used herein tojoin a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list.”

The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used in the drawingsand the following description to refer to the same or similar elements.While many embodiments of the disclosure may be described,modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. Forexample, substitutions, additions, or modifications may be made to theelements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described hereinmay be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to thedisclosed methods. Accordingly, the following detailed description doesnot limit the disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the disclosure isdefined by the appended claims. The present disclosure contains headers.It should be understood that these headers are used as references andare not to be construed as limiting upon the subjected matter disclosedunder the header.

Other technical advantages may become readily apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art after review of the following figures anddescription. It should be understood at the outset that, althoughexemplary embodiments are illustrated in the figures and describedbelow, the principles of the present disclosure may be implemented usingany number of techniques, whether currently known or not. The presentdisclosure should in no way be limited to the exemplary implementationsand techniques illustrated in the drawings and described below.

Unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are intended to be readtogether with the specification and are to be considered a portion ofthe entire written description of this invention. As used in thefollowing description, the terms “horizontal”, “vertical”, “left”,“right”, “up”, “down” and the like, as well as adjectival and adverbialderivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “rightwardly”, “upwardly”,“radially”, etc.), simply refer to the orientation of the illustratedstructure as the particular drawing figure faces the reader. Similarly,the terms “inwardly,” “outwardly” and “radially” generally refer to theorientation of a surface relative to its axis of elongation, or axis ofrotation, as appropriate. As used herein, the term “dorsal” refers topositions that are located near, on, or towards the upper or top side ofa structure.

The present disclosure includes many aspects and features. Moreover,while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in thecontext of undergarments, embodiments of the present disclosure are notlimited to use only in this context.

The instant disclosure seeks to disclose waistbands having clingmaterial to assist in keeping the waistband in place when donned. Theinstant disclosure seeks to provide undergarments that incorporate thewaistband. The instant disclosure seeks to provide cling material thatproduces an electrostatic force that demountably affixes the waistbandto an epithelial surface. The instant disclosure seeks to providewaistbands for male or female undergarments.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a waistband, generally 100,according to some embodiments. The waistband 100 includes at least onering 105 that is circumferentially affixed to an inner-surface 110 ofthe waistband 100. The waistband 100 can be used with male or femaleundergarments. As depicted in FIGS. 2-3, the waistband 100 facilitatesthe wearing of undergarments that are designed to be worn on the user'slower extremity (e.g., undergarment 100 and undergarment 200). Thewaistband 100 is a strip of material that is either elastic or someother confining fabric that is configured to encircle the waist. Thewaistband 100 can include one or more layers of elastic or confiningfabric. The waistband 100 can include rubber, latex, and/or similarpolymers. The ring 105 includes a cling material that produces anelectrostatic force that demountably affixes the waistband 100 to anepithelial surface 405 when the undergarments (e.g., the undergarment200 or the undergarment 300) are worn, as depicted in FIG. 4. Ingeneral, the ring can be of any suitable shape and size to facilitateone or more embodiments. The ring 105 is preferably affixed to thewaistband 100 via threading and/or an adhesive(s).

In some embodiments, the ring 105 is a plurality of iconic indicia 505that are laterally positioned proximate to each other. For example, theiconic indicia 505 can be a logo that includes a plurality of differentshapes, sizes, colors, and/or patterns. In other words, the iconicindicia 505 are made using the cling material.

The cling material preferably includes a silica gel and a curingagent(s). Although a plurality of applicable curing agents are known,the preferred curing agents include a phenolic resin, acid anhydride,carboxylic acid, a polyamine, or a combination of two or more thereof.The cling material preferably include nonlatex material that are knownto not irritate the skin. The ring 105 exerts a radial tugging holds theundergarment fast to the user's waist, with the ring 105 providing thesurfaces that attach to the user's skin with sufficient shear strengthto keep the waistband 100 in place, clinging to the user's skin whileremaining comfortable.

FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the undergarment 200, according to otherembodiments. The undergarment 200 can be a male or female undergarment.The waistband 100 is affixed to a lower torso covering portion 205. Theinstant disclosure seeks to provide cling technology material that canbe used as an enhancement to the waistband of undergarments. The clingtechnology is designed to help keep the undergarment waistband in placeby clinging to the user's skin while remaining comfortable. The lowertorso covering portion 205 can be made of similar material as found inthe undergarments known in the art. The lower torso covering portion 205includes a first protecting portion 210, a second protecting portion215, and a third protecting portion 220. The first protecting portion210 is coupled to the second protecting portion 215 and the thirdprotecting portion. The second protecting portion 215 is positionedopposite the third protecting portion 220. The first protecting portion210 is configured to cover the user's crotch area. The first protectingportion 210 and the second protecting portion 215 can be any length(e.g., they may extend to the user's crotch area, thighs, knees, ankles,or toes).

The second protecting portion 215 and the third protecting portion 220are configured to receive and protect the user's left and right upperthigh region. The second protecting portion 215 and the third protectingportion 220 each include a leg hole 225. In other words, the leg holes225 are positioned on the lower torso protecting portion 205 oppositethe waistband 110. FIG. 3 depicts a front view of the undergarment 300,according to other embodiments. The undergarment 300 can be a male orfemale undergarment. The undergarment 300 includes the waistband 100affixed to the lower torso protecting portion 306. The lower torsoprotecting portion 306 includes a first protecting portion 310, a secondprotecting portion 315, and a third protecting portion 320.

The first protecting portion 310, a second protecting portion 315, and athird protecting portion 320 are similar in positioning and functioningand include similar materials compared to the first protecting portion210, the second protecting portion 215, and the third protecting portion220, respectively. The lower torso covering portion 306 is similar inpositioning and functioning and includes similar materials compared tothe lower torso covering portion 205. The first protecting portion 310and the second protecting portion 315 can be any length (e.g., they mayextend to the user's crotch area, thighs, knees, ankles, or toes) tofacilitate one or more embodiments.

FIG. 7 depicts process steps for a method to form undergarments,according to other embodiments. At Step 700, a solution is formed bycombining silica gel and a curing agent. The curing agent is a substancethat can be used to harden the silica gel. The curing agents include,but are not limited to, phenolic resin type, acid anhydride type,carboxylic acid type, and polyamine type curing agents. The solution canbe made by first processing the silica gel and adding each curing agentin the desired percentage. In preferred embodiments, the curing agent ispresent in the solution at about 10 to 20 weight percent. Theformulation of the cling material complies with the spirit and intent ofexisting and pending regulations of the Environmental Protection Agency(EPA), and thus only the EPA approved silica and curing agents can beused. The EPA safety code for the curing agents can be 1350, 1351, and1360.

The silica gel can be produced by feeding of an acid and water glasssolution through a narrow tube into a large container. The silica gelwith high viscosity will form in the container. Upon complete silica gelformation, the container can be tipped downward and a piston can be usedto force the silica gel out of the container and through a series ofmesh screens of differing gauge in order to slice the large gel massinto discrete cubic shapes. The resultant small gel cubes can beammoniated and subjected to heating for a sufficient time to provide adesired pore size level and reinforcement simultaneously.

Silica gel's high specific surface area allows it to adsorb waterreadily, making it useful as a drying agent. Silica gel removes moistureby adsorption onto the surface of its numerous pores. Silica gel isnon-toxic, non-flammable, and non-reactive and stable with ordinaryusage. Thus, when used in garments, silica gel can provide safe andsecure attachment to user's skin, maintaining proper humidity. Thereactivity of the curing agent with the silica gel may cause differentgelation and may affect the resultant material's characteristicsincluding bonding and coating in such properties as water resistance,toughness and corrosion resistance. Thus, the soft gel material producedby silica and curing agents can provide easy removal and secureattachment when used for items in direct contact with user's skin.

FIG. 7 depicts process steps for a method to form undergarments,according to other embodiments. At Step 705, a waistband 100 is formed.At Step 710, a lower torso covering portion 205 is formed that includesa first protecting portion 210, a second protecting portion 215, and athird protecting portion 220. To be sure, this process step can be usedto form a lower torso covering portion 306 that includes a firstprotecting portion 310, a second protecting portion 315, and a thirdprotecting portion 320. At Step 715, a ring is formed using the solutionto produce an electrostatic force that demountably affixes the waistband100 to an epithelial surface when the undergarment is worn. At Step 720,the waistband 100 is affixed to the lower torso covering portion (e.g.,the lower torso covering portion 205 and the lower torso coveringportion 306). At Step 725, the ring is affixed to the inner surface 110of the waistband 100.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferredembodiment, it is to be understood that many other possiblemodifications and variations can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. An undergarment comprising: a waistband; a lowertorso covering portion; leg holes; a ring; wherein the lower torsocovering portion comprises a first protecting portion, a secondprotecting portion, and a third protecting portion; the waistband isaffixed to the lower torso covering portion; the leg holes arepositioned on the lower torso covering portion opposite the waistband;the ring is circumferentially affixed to an inner surface of thewaistband; the ring comprises a cling material that produces anelectrostatic force that demountably affixes the waistband to anepithelial surface when the undergarment is worn.
 2. The undergarment ofclaim 1, wherein the cling material comprises: silica gel; and a curingagent.
 3. The undergarment of claim 2, wherein the curing agentcomprises one or more of: a phenolic resin; acid anhydride; carboxylicacid; and a polyamine.
 4. The undergarment of claim 3, wherein the ringcomprises a plurality of iconic indicia laterally positioned proximateto each other.
 5. The undergarment of claim 4, wherein the ring isaffixed to the waistband via threading.
 6. The undergarment of claim 4,wherein the ring is affixed to the waistband via an adhesive.
 7. Amethod of forming an undergarment, comprising: forming a solution bycombining silica gel and a curing agent; forming a waistband; forming alower torso covering portion that comprises: a first protecting portion;a second protecting portion; a third protecting portion; leg holes;forming a ring using the solution; affixing the waistband to the lowertorso covering portion; affixing the ring to an inner surface of thewaistband; wherein the leg holes are positioned on the lower torsocovering portion opposite the waistband; wherein the ring produces anelectrostatic force that demountably affixes the waistband to anepithelial surface when the undergarment is worn.
 8. The method of claim7, wherein the curing agent comprises one or more of: a phenolic resin;acid anhydride; carboxylic acid; and a polyamine.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the curing agent is present in the solution at 10-20 wt %.10. The method of claim 9, wherein forming the ring comprises: forming aplurality of iconic indicia using the solution; and positioning each ofthe iconic indicia lateral and proximate to each to other.
 11. Themethod of claim 9, wherein affixing the ring to an inner surface of thewaistband comprises affixing the ring to the waistband via threading.12. The method of claim 9, wherein affixing the ring to an inner surfaceof the waistband comprises affixing the ring to the waistband via anadhesive.
 13. A method of forming an undergarment, comprising: forming asolution by combining silica gel and a curing agent; forming awaistband; forming a lower torso covering portion that comprises: afirst protecting portion; a second protecting portion; a thirdprotecting portion; leg holes; forming a ring using the solution;affixing the waistband to the lower torso covering portion; affixing thering to an inner surface of the waistband; wherein the leg holes arepositioned on the lower torso covering portion opposite the waist band;wherein the ring produces an electrostatic force that demountablyaffixes the waistband to an epithelial surface when the undergarment isworn; wherein the curing agent comprises one or more of: a phenolicresin; acid anhydride; carboxylic acid; and a polyamine.
 14. The methodof claim 13, wherein the curing agent is present in the solution at10-20 wt %.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein forming the ringcomprises: forming a plurality of iconic indicia using the solution; andpositioning each of the iconic indicia lateral and proximate to each toother.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein affixing the ring to an innersurface of the waistband comprises affixing the ring to the waistbandvia threading.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein affixing the ring toan inner surface of the waistband comprises affixing the ring to thewaistband via an adhesive.